Haiti – Caring Enough to Ask Why
What do we think about what has happened in Haiti? Pat Robertson has proffered a spiritual reason for this tragedy that is frighteningly hateful. A young friend has just tweeted simply, “Theodicy?” which is a defense of the goodness of God in the face of “evil.” These two are among a host of people who are struggling to understand how and why such horrible occurrences happen in the world. The tsunami which took place in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina gave rise to similar questionings. At the root of many of the questions really is, why would God let something like this happen to God’s creation?
Even the people who bequeathed to us the writings that make up the book of Genesis wrestled with why tragedies happen. I suppose we are no closer to finding a satisfactory answer now than then. Well, let me just speak for myself: I have no answers, but I care. I care deeply. I care enough to act and I care enough to ask.
Yes, I will contribute financially to the relief effort and encourage friends and those I serve to do the same. But, beyond this, I will do the much harder work of grieving the dead. I will sit still and, at least, try to wrap my mind around the scope of the loss of life. I will work hard not to hear the big number of the nameless, faceless others who died in the tragedy. Instead, I will try to mourn individual people… mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, babies of specific and particular backgrounds who have ceased to hope, to love. I will look up and out into space imagining the direction of these brothers and sisters who have taken transit to the next realm and I will re-member them. I will name them and not number them. I will re-member, I will put the broken back together in my heart. I will love these individual people.
Of course, I will ask “why?” But having the answer is not as important as caring enough to ask the question.
Posted on: January 13th, 2010 in: Haiti, Worship Resources
5 Responses to “Haiti – Caring Enough to Ask Why”
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Thank you, Roderick. Amen and Ashe. I will follow suit — commiting to grieve and mourn in an intentional, heart-filled, way. God bless you for the courage to care. Watching, praying, mourning, acting…
What a beautiful post Pastor Belin — there are other so called theologians out there saying hateful/judgemental things about our brothers and sisters in Haiti…they do not speak for me or the God I serve… by contrast, it’s wonderful to see that God has blessed you with the wisdom and discernment to know that the most important things at a time like this are empathy and compassion….My heart hurts watching what is happening there.. Thank you for praying for those who need it the most…
The words of Jesus below changed my perspective on how speak and live. Jesus has an expectation that we would represent Him in a way that others would believe in Him. The expectation and hope of the Father and Son is enough for me.
“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word.” John 17:15-20
Thanks for your beautiful prayers and posts.
Here is part of the “Why?” – http://www.alternet.org/story/145183/haiti_didn't_become_a_poor_nation_all_on_its_own_–_the_u.s's_hidden_role_in_the_disaster
Eld. Belin,
I thank God for your ministry. I thank Him for what He has placed deep inside of your heart and the wonderful way that you use your gifts.
I thank you for challenging myself and others to do more than donate $10.00 to the Red Cross or just perform a cursory prayer. I have been moved to sincerely pray and fast for the victims of the Haitian crisis. I thank you.
Please stay on the wall and don’t come down, your voice and actions are needed in 2010.
Alan O. Belin
Chicago. IL.